FTMO vs Apex Trader Funding: Which Prop Firm Is Better in 2026?

PropTally4 min read
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FTMO and Apex Trader Funding are two of the most popular prop firms in the world, but they serve very different types of traders. FTMO dominates the forex/CFD space while Apex leads in futures. This guide breaks down everything you need to decide between them.

For a quick visual comparison, check our side-by-side comparison tool.

Company Overview

FTMO launched in 2015 out of Prague, Czech Republic. It offers forex, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs through a two-phase evaluation model. FTMO is widely considered the gold standard for forex prop firms due to its longevity and track record of paying out traders.

Apex Trader Funding launched in 2021 and quickly became the largest futures prop firm by volume. It offers a single-phase evaluation with generous rules and frequent discount promotions that bring challenge fees well below competitors.

Drawdown Rules

| Rule | FTMO | Apex Trader Funding |

|---|---|---|

| Overall drawdown | 10% (static from initial balance) | $2,500–$6,000 trailing (varies by plan) |

| Daily loss limit | 5% of starting balance | None |

| Drawdown type | Static | Trailing (locks at starting balance) |

| Drawdown calculation | Real-time (includes unrealized P&L) | End-of-day for funded; real-time for eval |

FTMO's static drawdown is more forgiving once you build a profit buffer — your breach level never moves up. Apex's trailing drawdown follows your equity high watermark until it locks at the starting balance, which means early profits don't give you extra room until the trail locks.

However, Apex has no daily loss limit, which gives intraday traders more freedom on any single day.

Profit Splits & Scaling

| Factor | FTMO | Apex Trader Funding |

|---|---|---|

| Starting split | 80% | 100% (first $25,000) |

| Maximum split | 90% (via scaling plan) | 90% (after first $25,000) |

| Scaling plan | Account size increases every 4 months | Not currently offered |

| Scaling requirement | 10%+ profit over 4-month period | N/A |

FTMO's scaling plan can grow your account up to $2,000,000 over time. Apex offers a remarkable 100% profit split on the first $25,000 in payouts, making it extremely attractive for traders who plan to withdraw early and often.

Challenge Fees

| Account Size | FTMO | Apex Trader Funding |

|---|---|---|

| $25,000 | ~$250 | $147 (often ~$88 on sale) |

| $50,000 | ~$345 | $167 (often ~$100 on sale) |

| $100,000 | ~$540 | $207 (often ~$124 on sale) |

| $150,000 | N/A | $297 (often ~$178 on sale) |

| $200,000 | ~$1,080 | N/A |

| $300,000 | N/A | $517 (often ~$310 on sale) |

Apex runs aggressive discount promotions (40–60% off) almost continuously, making it significantly cheaper than FTMO on a per-challenge basis. FTMO's fee is refundable upon your first payout from the funded account, which offsets the higher upfront cost.

Payout Speed

  • FTMO: Payouts processed within 1–2 business days of request. Available on a biweekly schedule after the first 14 calendar days.
  • Apex: Payouts processed within 1–5 business days. Available twice per month after an initial waiting period.

Both firms pay via bank wire and various e-wallets. FTMO is generally regarded as faster and more consistent in processing.

Platforms & Instruments

| Factor | FTMO | Apex Trader Funding |

|---|---|---|

| Asset classes | Forex, indices, metals, crypto, commodities (CFDs) | Futures (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) |

| Platforms | MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, DXtrade | Rithmic (NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, etc.) |

| Key instruments | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, US30, XAUUSD | ES, NQ, CL, GC, YM, MES, MNQ |

| Data fees | Included | $0 for eval; CME market data fees apply for funded |

If you trade forex, FTMO is the obvious choice. If you trade futures, Apex is the natural pick. If you trade both, consider running accounts at each.

Verdict

Choose FTMO if:

  • You trade forex, indices, or crypto CFDs
  • You want a proven firm with a long payout track record
  • You value static drawdown and a clear scaling plan
  • You prefer MetaTrader or cTrader platforms

Choose Apex Trader Funding if:

  • You trade futures (ES, NQ, CL, etc.)
  • You want the cheapest possible challenge entry
  • You want a 100% profit split on your first $25,000
  • You prefer a single-phase evaluation with no daily loss limit

Neither firm is objectively "better" — the right choice depends on what and how you trade. Use the PropTally risk calculator to model your strategy against each firm's rules before committing.

Compare these and 30+ other firms on our prop firm comparison page.

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